News & Articles

OC Register's Artist of the Year Nominees

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Performing Arts Department is proud to announce the nominees for the OC Artist of the Year Program, sponsored by the OC Register. You can read about our nominated Tritons here.

Criteria for the nomination is explained as "an outstanding high school junior or senior in Orange County...These students don’t just show talent and technique. They are blossoming into artists—curious, driven, and brave enough to explore new ideas and challenge themselves."

Semi-finalists for this award will be announced on April 19, 2026.

Congratulations to the following students:

Vocal Music Category:

Isadora Salekfard and Lucy La Caz

Theatre Category:

Kailee Cohn

Haven Hodge

Lucy La Caz

Isadora Salekfard

Dominic Ureno

Seth Wong

Reflections From The Tolkien Retreat

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In returning from our 3rd annual Tolkien Retreat, we asked our travelers to share reflections from their week away together. Pacifica’s Tolkien Retreat invites our students and staff to experience an imaginative world at the beautiful grounds of Lake Leonard Reserve—as they take on the challenge of reading the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy together.

Written by faculty member, Lindsey Knight

A typical Tolkien morning begins with the rising of the sun, fresh coffee, warm pastries, and worship as a group. Usually, we settle into our reading spots quickly after the morning time, but this particular day, we had a lighter load of reading, so Mr. Dobbins exhorted whoever was interested to join him on a walk up a hill. The students immediately scrambled to their rooms to grab sweaters, boots, gloves, and handwarmers, and a solid contingent of our group began to assemble on the front porch. We walked through slushy mud along the perimeter of the lake until our path began to diverge, rise and take us through denser forest. Pines lined our path, and as we ascended up the hill, we began to anticipate what was at the top.

One at a time, each student joined Mr. Dobbins at the summit, and one by one, I could hear gasps and cheers. The top of the hill was fully covered in a blanket of snow, and far beyond, the sky was full of a brilliant white mist that hid everything behind it.

Before I had time to take in the view, a snowball flew past me. The scene before me turned into the most joyous, laughter-filled, snowball fight I have seen. Framed by a backdrop of white, the students couldn’t contain their excitement as they continued to run up the next hill– sliding down it, picking up snow, throwing it, and gathering more to make the beloved (but unfortunately not long-lived) Snow-do the snowman.

I set up my foldable chair and took out my book. Between page turns, I watched the students until the sun was above me in the sky. As I sat there, the mist began to slowly fade, and the scene behind the clouds was revealed. All I could see were pine trees for miles beyond our little hill. We felt like characters in Tolkien's Middle Earth–far from home, far from “normal,” but surrounded by fellowship. The laughter on the hill quieted as the students began to walk back to the cabin. They left in small groups to warm up by the fire until I was left alone.

When people ask “How was the Tolkien Retreat?” I am often at a loss for words. “We walked up a hill,” I could say. Describing the beauty of these moments requires attention to the details. These details were only apparent to our senses because there was nothing to pull our attention away from what was before us in every present moment. We could spend the morning walking up a hill and experience true joy. I look for these moments as I return to my routines– knowing that the peace of the Lord is found in Him when I choose to turn my vision to hills eternal.

Written by Dominic Ureno '(26)

The Tolkien Retreat is freedom and rest. There is no other way to describe it. As someone who has never understood “rest” very well, this was a big shock to me my first year. Everywhere I looked, I saw so many of my friends at peace: comfortably reading, baking, or even writing music, and I didn’t know what to do with it. Ironically, this stressed me out. In order to find peace, I tried to copy what everyone else was doing. I didn’t sit back and let God direct me to His rest through the retreat, itself.

However, my second year, I came back more free to let the retreat fill me with God's rest. God had humbled me a lot in between my two retreats to show me how much I needed the rest, and that to rest, I needed to surrender. When I arrived back, I quickly dived into the text I loved so much, while surrendering myself to the ebbs and flows of the trip. By fully submitting to the retreat, I found myself spontaneously drawn into the greatest rest I've ever felt. And it wasn't all the same kind of rest, either. Some of it carried the same energy as my friends during my first year, like rowing on the lake in the snow, having a marvelous sip of tea at the top of a mountain, or baking Lembas bread with Mr. Rinaldi. But other moments of rest were different, such as the chaos of bowling with the guys, clapping along to "Onion John" on closing night, or having a snowball fight outside.

All of these “restful” moments were made possible by the nature of the retreat. There were no reputations to uphold, no other tasks to accomplish besides reading, and not even any clocks to be subservient to. This environment was the perfect space in which to be free and in which to rest, and it is absolutely a cornerstone memory from my past 4 years of Pacifica experiences.

However, this tale is just what God worked for me over my time on the retreat. God may have something completely different in store for you, should you make the choice to go. The retreat is truly His space to work, and He will use it all for His great glory and for your great good. Just surrender into it, dive wholeheartedly into the reading, and let God direct the rest of your steps, and you’ll be in for the experience of a lifetime.

Written by faculty member, Luke Bailey

"Losing track of time is not something we frequently have an opportunity to do. Our lives primarily revolve around keeping track of time. Busy schedules are filled with commitments and activities, even sometimes when we are supposed to be on vacation. Some of this is necessary and a part of the life that we live. However, it is refreshing and life-giving to have moments, days, weekends where there is a chance to lose track of the time. This was the opportunity we had on the Tolkien Retreat.

It was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience for me and I witnessed the impact that it had on the students as well. Following the retreat this has clung stubbornly to me, as I return to normal life. Our days were not marked by minutes or hours, but instead by pages read, meals eaten, and conversations shared. The urge to check the time slowly faded after the first few days. The students would frequently ask on the drive up. And then on the first day they would ask less frequently, then less on the second day. Until eventually, they just stopped asking.

Time is a gift and frequently we think about this gift in utilitarian terms, "productivity," "spent," "used." Often we do not think about the gift of time as something to be inhabited. On the Tolkien Retreat, we all had a chance to experience time in this different way. For me, it led to a deep sense of rest and peace during the week. There were meaningful parallels between this experience of time and several passages in the Lord of the Rings. It was time perhaps as the Fellowship felt it while they were in Rivendell or Lothlorien, an elvish sense of time.

Returning to normal life, my hope for myself and for the students is that we are all able to have moments where we lose track of time. That we would let go of our desire to constantly check and keep track of time. That this would be another way to sabbath, to rest."

5th Annual Declamations: Why Memorize Anything?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Memorization is a dying art. An entire world of information is available at our fingertips. We can go online and read the books of millions of libraries, see the art of thousands of museums, and watch the videos of countless speeches. Why should we memorize anything? In contrast to this prevailing contemporary mood, declaiming is a profoundly embodied and meditative act in a disembodied and relentlessly dislocated age. There is no shortcut to wisdom, no quick workaround or online learning model that can accomplish the task of deep learning for you. As the world-famous mathematician, Terence Tao, recently said, AI tools are like taking a helicopter to the top of a mountain and missing the benefits of the journey itself. By contrast, the declaimer must sit with, ponder on, and connect with the text if it is to be declaimed with real understanding.

While the judges’ rubric had multiple components, overall the declamation finalists were chosen because of their clear contemplation on—and embodied exemplification of—their pieces. They sat with and were changed by their works. Some of the pieces filled us with childhood delight, some evoked somber reflections on evil and justice, while others led us to sublime reflections on the things of God.

Our hope is that by meditating on these things, our students, and you, our guests to this site, will become a bit more familiar with things that are good, true, and beautiful, and ultimately with their Maker from whom they come. In a world of too much information, the more we sit calmly with good words, the easier it will be to recognize them like the way you might recognize an old friend in a crowd, even if you haven’t seen them in decades.

Enjoy these videos from our 5th Annual Declamations Finals and a round of applause for our declamations finalists, and overall winner, Charlotte Schofield ('27).

Our 2026 Declamations Finalists

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

It is our distinct pleasure to announce our finalists for the 5th Annual TGC Declamations Contest! There were many qualified candidates this year, but these nine finalists rose to the top. These students will now move on to our Declamations Finals event on Friday, February 27, 2026. Now, without further ado,

Our 2026 Declamations Finalists:

Cruz Alarcon, 11th - Ecclesiastes 2 & 12
Alexandra Brinker, 10th - The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Maja Jeffers, 10th - The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Parker Johnson, 12th - Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri
Robert McPhie, 12th - “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service
Durham Pelinka, 12th - Mere Christianity & The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Jasper Rogers, 10th - “The Great Automatic Grammatizator” by Roald Dahl
Charlotte Schofield, 11th - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Dominic Ureno, 12th - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

We're honored to have these distinguished judges from our community this year:

Dr. Adam Morris, President of Azusa Pacifica University
Dr. Ed Stetzer, Dean of Talbot Theological Seminary
Dr. Michael Thomas, President of Concordia University

In addition to winning House points, the top three declaimers will receive $100 in cash, and the best performance of the night will be crowned the overall winner.

This is a mandatory event for all Pacifica students. And we invite friends and family to be a part of the evening as well! Our finalists have worked hard to honor the masterfully crafted works they are declaiming, and we are confident the evening will be both inspiring and enjoyable for all.

Declamations Finals Event Details:

Friday, February 27 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Students, attendance is mandatory and your digital student ID will be required at check-in for attendance tracking.
This is a House event and points will be awarded for student attendance and attire.
ONLY Declamation Finalists who are presenting on stage will be in business casual.
All students in attendance who are not a Declamation Finalist are to be in formal uniform, abiding to the dress code. You are encouraged to accessorize with your house color through items like scarves, ties, bows, etc.
Carpooling is encouraged, as parking is limited at St. Andrew's.

Please join us in congratulating our finalists! We look forward to seeing you all at the main event.

Pacifica Student Takes Stage with Hugh Jackman at Segerstrom Center’s 51st Candlelight Concert

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Pacifica Christian High School is proud to celebrate the remarkable experience of Isadora Salekfard ('27), who recently took center stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ 51st Annual Candlelight Concert—their holiday gala that raises crucial support for arts education in our community.

The Candlelight Concert was headlined by Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor and singer, Hugh Jackman, who additionally led the third annual Candlelight Master Class for outstanding high school performers from across Orange County.

Isadora Salekfard ('27) was one of only six students selected for this prestigious opportunity. A highlight of the event featured Salekfard onstage during the main concert to perform a solo rendition of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman, showcasing her talent to a captivated audience.

That's a Wrap for 2025!

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

As we wrap another year, we thank God for all that He has provided to us and for His provision ahead. From celebrating our annual Triton Traditions to inaugurating new teams and events, life and flourishing continues in all parts of Pacifica. Read just a few of our highlights from the year as we look forward to 2026!

All-School Dedication
The start of each school year at Pacifica begins with gratitude to Christ and a blessing over the year ahead. During Dedication, the Class of 2029 took their “First Walk” marking the beginning of their Pacifica journey! Experience our All-school Dedication here.

Freshman Heritage Dinner
Hosted by the senior class, this dinner serves as a meaningful welcome for our freshmen. Through shared tables and a prepared meal, seniors introduce the incoming class to the culture and traditions of the Pacifica Houses.

All-School Retreat
Retreat is one of the most missional things we do at Pacifica and we were so excited to return back to the Arizona mountains for our 11th All-School Retreat! Watch our All-School Retreat trailer video here.

Pacifica Fields 7 National Merit Commended Students
Pacifica fielded 7 students who were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT this year. They demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success and comprise less than 3.4% of the overall testing population nationally.

Robotics Kicks Off Its 2nd Year
In November, Pacifica Robotics had their 3rd competition in the program’s one year history at the SoCal Showdown at McBride High School in Long Beach. Pacifica Robotics finished qualifiers with the highest standing thus far, placing 15th out of the 33 teams. There's much to celebrate with how far the team as come and they return to the drawing board with more vigor than ever for the season ahead.

Biomedical & Technology Cohort
This year marks the launch of our brand-new Biotechnology and Medical Cohort, created by our science faculty member, Ms. Lindsey Knight. Designed to give students an inside look at the world of healthcare and biotechnology, the program combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences and professional engagement.

A Round of Applause for Pride & Prejudice
In October, Triton Theatre delivered three stellar performances of Pride & Prejudice at the Rose Centre Theatre. And we’re just getting started—join us this spring for a magical production of Mary Poppins!

Rise Tide: A New Mindset for Triton Athletics
At Pacifica, athletics is more than winning or losing—it’s rising together. Rise Tide is our call to excellence—in the classroom, in competition, and in character. Whether you’re new to a sport or competing at the highest levels, Triton Athletics invites you into a community that challenges, strengthens, and uplifts one another. Because when one Triton rises, the tide rises for all.

Triton Lab Grand Opening
The tide rises here at the Triton Lab—Pacifica’ new home for training, conditioning, and recovery. This state-of-the-art facility will advance Triton Athletics and usher in a bold new era for our student-athletes.

Bring the Rain
One of our most attended and awaited games of the year—Bring the Rain! Triton Nation stormed the Freed Center at Vanguard University as one rising tide, dressed in all-white and armed with rolls upon rolls of toilet paper to shower the court at our boys first 3 point shot.

A Standout Year for Triton Athletics
Marked by both historic firsts and continued excellence! The school launched its inaugural flag football season, while girls tennis captured the League Championship for the third time. Joseph Gudino set a new school record in cross country and teammate, Lila Glidewell qualified for state for the third consecutive year. Volleyball player, Addie Roberson was named Girls Player of the Year. Coaching excellence was recognized as Jennifer Jolin (Girls Tennis) and Tanner Motske (Girls Golf) earned Coach of the Year awards. At the next level, four student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent—Bitzy Nelson, Emalee Hernandez, Charlie Hall, and Donovan Hogan—capping off a year of remarkable achievement across Triton programs.

Friendsgiving
Another year of this beloved triton tradition—Pacifica’s annual Friendsgiving! Everyone—students, staff, and faculty—gathers round a multitude of fold-up tables to enjoy a homemade potluck by our very own Pacifica Parents. It’s an incredible amount of work that results in an incredible amount of joy.

Lessons & Carols, Silent Night
December hosts two triton traditions! At our Service of Lessons & Carols. Our students read aloud nine cherished lessons of the Christmas story to the audience, followed by the singing of carols alongside the Pacifica choir. Later at the Silent Night Basketball Games, all is quiet in the stands until Pacifica Christian's 7th point where the crowd goes wild.

Matt Hall, Leading Through Criticism

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Deans & Directors enjoyed a discussion led by Matthew Hall, Provost of Biola University, on Leading Through Criticism. You can read his full article here where he discusses 3 areas of consideration in upon giving and receiving critcism.

St. Mark's Upperclassman Christmas Dinner

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

St. Mark's Junior and Senior Ladies Christmas Dinner was held on Thursday, December 11. The girls and their mentors got dressed up in their Christmas best for a night of celebration: featuring a delicious dinner on Christmas china, a hot cocoa and cider bar, and White Elephant sock exchange. Stories were exchanged across the table about St. Mark’s virtues: Faith and Courage. More specifically, they shared how they have experienced stepping out in Courage and seen their Faith grow in their time at Pacifica. The night concluded with the Seniors commissioning the Juniors by lighting a flame, representing the fire that the St. Mark Lion breathes, and imparting their words of wisdom to encourage the next class to be a light to the Pacifica community in their final semester together as upperclassmen.

November Recipients of the Continuum Coins

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Every month, eight Continuum Coins (2 per House) are awarded by faculty and staff to students who embody the attributes of the Pacifica Person, accompanied by a personalized note.

The Continuum Coins were founded by ASB President Lana Stewart, who dreamed of bringing the Pacifica Person to life. She asked how we might celebrate these attributes in everyday campus life—and call one another to live them out. From that vision came the Continuum Coins. Inspired by the Pacifica Continuum—our picture of education as a joy-filled, freedom-shaping adventure.

Recipient: Benji Tuihalamaka, St. Matthew's
Attribute Displayed: Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: Johnny Marmelstein, Dean of Students

Pacifica is blessed to count Benji as a Triton! Whether in the classroom, in mentor group, eating lunch with friends, or shooting hoops, the joy of the Lord lives and shines through his life. The love of Christ is evident in all he does. Others are blessed through him!

Recipient: Kailaya Cutchins, St. Matthew's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor
Witnessed By: Johnny Marmelstein, Dean of Students

Kailaya is an incredible contributor to Triton Nation. She is an excellent student, an outstanding athlete, and an unbelievably talented artist. She has taken the wealth of talent and ability with which God has blessed her with and generously shared ti with our community.

Recipient: Joseph Brown, St. Mark's
Attribute Displayed: Connector, Ethical Decision-Maker, Contributor, Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: Matthew Murphy, Mathematics Faculty

I have watched Joseph bring light to this campus in a way I only wish I could have as a high school student. He is kind to every peer, respectful to every adult, and never hesitates to serve. He is an example of a righteous action and humble intention that we could all learn from. His love for God, his people, and learning is plain to see.

Recipient: Lana Stewart, St. Mark's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor, Connector
Witnessed By: Matthew Murphy, Mathematics Faculty

Lana is a gift to this school. Her leadership reflects the love she has for people and her humility has made a real impact on our community. No matter what comes her way, she faces it with a smile and some dance moves. She is a person of strength, confidence, and loyalty. She walks in a manner worthy of the gifts she has been given.

Recipient: Sammy Gibbs, St. Luke's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor
Witnessed By: Ben Roberson, Principal

I witnessed Sammy consistently offer his gifts, in particular—a welcoming spirit and infectious smile—to invite both prospective students and 9th graders into Pacifica's culture.

Recipient: Sadie Bahnsen, St. Luke's
Attribute Displayed: Ethical Decision Maker
Witnessed By: Ben Roberson, Principal

Sadie consistently makes decisions that are selfless, for the good of the community as a whole, and displays thoughtful intentionality.

Recipient: David Gundlach, St. John's
Attribute Displayed: Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: David Fung, History & Theology Faculty

I'm honoring David for an instance in the halls, in which he was witnessed praying over one of his peers. In a school full of Christians, he stopped to pray. David, thank you for loving like Christ in that moment.

Recipient: Kianna Cutchins, St. John's
Attribute Displayed: Connector
Witnessed By: David Fung, History & Theology Faculty

I am amazed by the way Kianna leads RAD club. This service club connects other students together to do good deeds. Kianna is encouraging and leading by example in a life of service.

October Recipients of the Continuum Coins

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

At the start of the year, ASB President Lana Stewart dreamed of bringing the Pacifica Person to life. She asked how we might celebrate these attributes in everyday campus life—and call one another to live them out. From that vision came the Continuum Coins. Inspired by the Pacifica Continuum—our picture of education as a joy-filled, freedom-shaping adventure—eight coins (2 per House) are awarded each month by faculty and staff to students who embody these attributes, accompanied by a personalized note.

Recipient: Jasper Rogers, St. Matthew's
Attribute Displayed: Thinker
Witnessed By: Lindsay Caron, Spanish Faculty

Having Jasper in class is such a gift. He is eager to learn, earnest and persevering in his pursuit of truth, and kind in all that he does. He asks good questions because he cares about truth and beauty, and has inspired others to do the same.

Recipient: Charlotte Schofield, St. Matthew's
Attribute Displayed: Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: Lindsay Caron, Spanish Faculty

I am so impressed by Charlotte. She is deeply kind, sincerely caring, full of hope, love, and so clearly loves the Lord. Her honest and connections in St. Anne's have been a tremendous blessing to me and so many others.

Recipient: Logan Caracoza, St. Mark's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor
Witnessed By: Lindsey Knight, Biology Faculty

Logan is a leader, his presence in a room brings energy and encouragement. The way he has stepped up in Biology and taken risks (like student-teaching the class!) is an example to others of how to be bold and have fun doing it! He makes Pacifica a more joyful place and I know he will greatly impact our school over the next four years.

Recipient: Leah Lavin, St. Mark's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor
Witnessed By: Lindsey Knight, Biology Faculty

Leah holds herself with poise and grace. When people are talking, she listens well. She shows true interest and asks genuine questions. I have seen her character shine these past few months. She makes Pacifica a more kind and loving place and I'm so grateful to know her!

Recipient: Nathan Crain, St. Luke's
Attribute Displayed: Contributor
Witnessed By: Annalea Shea, English Faculty

Nathan is dedicated and dependable. He leads by example and demonstrates a wonderful willingness to share your gifts and passions with those around him. Our community is so blessed to have him.

Recipient: Lucy La Caze, St. Luke's
Attribute Displayed: Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: Annalea Shea, English Faculty

Lucy is committed to pursuing wholeness and goodness personally and in community. I have seen her dedication to Christ and her growth in relationship with him as she faithfully attend St. Anne's and cares for her friends well, all while pursuing academics and theater, to the glory of God!

Recipient: Michael Noel, St. John's
Attribute Displayed: Contributer, Connector
Witnessed By: Analisa Valenzuela, Academic Counselor

Michael has exemplified what it means to have a servant's heart. He is a quiet and humble leader. Witnessing him serve St. John's at our All-School Retreat was so inspiring. Students like him are the reasson Pacifica is such a special place.

Recipient: Anna Holladay, St. John's
Attribute Displayed: Integrated Disciple
Witnessed By: Analisa Valenzuela, Academic Counselor

I am amazed by Anna's grit to overcome challenges and her heart to serve others. I've watched her step out of her comfort zone and into areas God has called her to. Pacifica is a better place because of her!